KARACHI: Following a continued daily basis was unacceptable and was creating serious difficulties for the transport increase in petroleum product prices, the All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance has announced a 5% increase in goods transportation freight rates.
Alliance President Malik Shahzad Awan condemned the increase in petroleum prices and said the transport sector could no longer absorb the rising cost of fuel.
“We announce a 5% increase in goods transport fares,” Awan said.
He criticized the frequent changes in petroleum prices, saying that altering fuel prices on a daily basis was unacceptable and was creating serious difficulties for the transport industry.
According to Awan, the transport community had previously agreed to postpone a nationwide strike for 40 days following assurances from the government.
He said the government had requested 40 days to address the concerns of the transport sector, but that period would expire next week.
Awan warned that once the 40-day period was completed, the transport alliance would announce its future course of action.
The transport sector has repeatedly expressed concerns over the impact of fuel prices on operating costs. Higher diesel and petrol prices increase expenses for commercial vehicles, affecting freight charges and potentially raising% increase in freight rates is therefore expected to add further pressure to businesses that rely on road transportation to move goods between cities and the cost of transporting goods across the country.
The announcement of a 5% increase in freight rates is therefore expected to add further pressure to businesses that rely on road transportation to move goods between cities and provinces.
Awan also criticized the government’s fuel-pricing policy and reiterated the transport sector’s demand for greater stability and predictability in petroleum prices.
Meanwhile, the Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a march towards Islamabad on September 20 against the petroleum levy.
The political and transport-sector responses come as fuel prices remain a major concern for consumers, businesses and commercial transport operators.
The goods transport industry plays a crucial role in Pakistan’s supply chain, moving agricultural produce, industrial goods, food products and other essential commodities across the country. Any significant rise in freight costs can therefore have broader implications for the prices of goods in local markets.
The transport alliance has indicated that its next decision will depend partly on the government’s response after the 40-day period ends.
For now, the announced 5% increase represents the transport industry’s immediate response to higher fuel costs, while the possibility of further action remains open after the government’s promised period expires.
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